ENG v IND 2018: Team India likely to miss Jasprit Bumrah for the first three Tests of the series

Many suprise selection moves are expected from the selectors in the squad for England Test series.

India’s exciting fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is yet to recover from his thumb injury which he suffered in the first T20I against Ireland. This means that Bumrah is likely to miss the first three Tests of the 5-match Test series in England.

According to ESPNCricinfo, selectors are leaning towards including left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav in the squad and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant in the Test squad. Mohammed Shami, who missed the Afghanistan Test due to fitness issues, is also likely to make his comeback into the Indian team.

With Saha still unfit after his thumb injury sustained in IPL, Dinesh Karthik will be the first choice keeper in the series and selection of Pant in the Test series is seen as a surprise move by selectors.

Shami is likely to be part of a fast-bowling contingent comprising Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, and Umesh Yadav. The all-rounder Hardik Pandya is also included among the seam-bowling options. Kuldeep Yadav is likely to be part of the three-man spin attack comprising of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

Selectors have also reportedly overlooked Rohit Sharma for a spot in the middle order. His dismal series in South Africa seemed to left the selectors and team management unsatisfied of his abilities in the longest format of the game. Karun Nair may keep his spot in the squad as the extra batsman.